Conor Daly

Conor Daly's Path to IndyCar

Conor Daly has achieved victories in both Europe and the United States, winning the Star Mazda title in 2010, the championship now known as the Pro Mazda Championship. After making several stints in Europe, where he raced in both the GP3 and GP2 Series, Daly returned permanently to the United States at the end of 2014 to compete in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, now the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

IndyCar Debut and Early Progress

During the 2013 Indianapolis 500, Conor Daly made his IndyCar debut with A.J. Foyt Enterprises. He showed potential for a full-time future in IndyCar by completing the race with minimal issues. After a challenging season in the GP2 Series in 2014, he transitioned to the United SportsCar Championship, where he finished eighth in the final standings.

First IndyCar Races in 2015

In 2015, Daly raced in five IndyCar events, four of which were as a substitute driver. In Long Beach, he replaced the injured Rocky Moran Jr. for Dale Coyne Racing, and in Detroit and Toronto, he took over from James Hinchcliffe, who had sustained serious injuries during Indianapolis. Daly’s best result that year was a sixth place in the streets of Belle Isle in Detroit.

Full-Time Season with Dale Coyne Racing

Following his strong performances as a substitute in 2015, Daly secured a full-time seat with Dale Coyne Racing in 2016. He achieved five top-ten finishes, highlighted by his first podium with a second place at Belle Isle, Detroit.

Transition to A.J. Foyt Enterprises

Despite a successful season at Dale Coyne, Daly had to part ways after just one year. He soon found a spot with A.J. Foyt Enterprises, where he faced a challenging season with limited competitive results. However, he showed significant improvement towards the end of the season, securing a fifth-place finish at Gateway Motorsports Park—his best result on an oval up to that point.

Frequent Substitute Driver for Multiple Teams

Despite his strong finish in 2017, Daly lost his seat with the legendary A.J. Foyt team. It quickly became clear that Daly wouldn’t have a full-time role in the 2018 IndyCar season. Nonetheless, he secured a seat with Dale Coyne with Thom Burns Racing for his fifth start at the Indianapolis 500. Later in the season, he competed in three more races for Harding Racing.

In 2019, Daly participated in seven IndyCar races, including the Indianapolis 500 and the season finale at Laguna Seca with Andretti Autosport. He contested additional oval races, beyond the iconic 500-mile race, for Carlin as a replacement for Max Chilton. In Portland, Daly stepped in for Marcus Ericsson at Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, as Ericsson had commitments as a test and reserve driver with the Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team.

Full-Time, Racing for Two Teams

In 2020 and 2021, Daly raced full-time in the NTT IndyCar Series. He competed on all permanent and street circuits, as well as both Indianapolis 500 races, for Ed Carpenter Racing. He contested the remaining oval races during these two years for Carlin.

Challenges in 2022 and 2023

In 2022, Conor Daly completed his first full season with Ed Carpenter Racing. Despite a fifth-place finish in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and a sixth in the Indy 500, the season was ultimately disappointing. In 2023, results did not improve significantly, and after seven races, he was replaced by Ryan Hunter-Reay. He did, however, return as a substitute driver for three races with Meyer Shank Racing and one race with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing that year.

New Opportunities and Success in 2024

In 2024, Daly was unable to secure a full-time seat, but he did secure a spot with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for the Indy 500. Remarkably, he drove the "one-off" team to a tenth-place finish. Later in the season, he filled in once more for Dale Coyne Racing before competing in the final five races with Juncos Hollinger Racing. Here, he thrilled the team by not only keeping the #78 car in the 'Leader Circle' but also by achieving the team’s first podium on the Milwaukee Mile.